MISSING LINK Meaning and
Definition
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The term "missing link" refers to a concept primarily used in the fields of anthropology, evolutionary biology, and paleontology. It describes a hypothetical transitional form or organism, usually regarding the evolution of humans. The missing link represents a species or individual that would bridge the evolutionary gap between different species or stages of development, particularly when fossil records are incomplete or discontinuous.
This notion emerged from the general understanding that evolution occurs gradually over time, rather than sudden leaps between species. The missing link serves as a significant piece of evidence supporting the theory of evolution, as it helps to illustrate the interconnectedness and continuity of life on Earth.
In practice, the missing link often refers to a specific fossilized creature that exhibits characteristics of both its ancestors and descendants. This transitional fossil is considered a crucial discovery, as it allows scientists to trace evolutionary pathways and better understand the biological processes involved. Nevertheless, the concept of a "missing link" can open debates and controversies as it is sometimes misused or oversimplified by the media or non-experts.
In conclusion, the missing link is a hypothetical or actual transitional organism that fills gaps in the evolutionary chain, demonstrating the continuous development of species over time.
Common Misspellings for MISSING LINK
- nissing link
- kissing link
- jissing link
- mussing link
- mjssing link
- mkssing link
- mossing link
- m9ssing link
- m8ssing link
- miasing link
- mizsing link
- mixsing link
- midsing link
- miesing link
- miwsing link
- misaing link
- miszing link
- misxing link
- misding link
Etymology of MISSING LINK
The term "missing link" originated in the late 19th century and is used in the field of anthropology and paleontology to refer to a hypothetical intermediate species that is believed to be the evolutionary connection between two distinct species. The term gained popularity during a time when the concept of evolution was being established and the search for evidence of human evolution was in progress.
The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. Missing: The word "missing" comes from the Old English word "missan", meaning "to fail to hit or find". In this context, it refers to the absence or lack of a particular species or evidence.
2. Link: The word "link" originates from Old English "hlencan" or "hlencgan", meaning "to join" or "to unite".
Idioms with the word MISSING LINK
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missing link
A missing link refers to an essential person or thing that is needed to complete or make a connection between two different elements or ideas. It can also refer to a transitional form or organism that has not yet been discovered, which would bridge the gap in evolutionary theory.
Similar spelling word for MISSING LINK
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